KUCHING: The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (Bomba) is considering the possibility of building a new airbase in Sibu if the airbase plan in Kuching does not materialise because of land issues.
Bomba director-general Datuk Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin said his department had discussed this possibility with the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
However, he acknowledged that the airbase should be located in the state capital due to its strategic location. But the constraints of obtaining a piece of land have not been resolved and the problem is still pending.
“In case we cannot get a site for the Kuching airbase plan, maybe we can propose the construction of the base in the central region of Sarawak.
“If we are able to centralise (the airbase) in Sibu, that means the department is able to provide coverage for the whole of Sarawak effectively,” he told a press conference after officiating at the Bomba Service Medal Award 2020 and Bomba Sarawak Outstanding Service Award 2022 ceremony at a popular hotel here today.
Wahab noted that the department is giving priority to Sarawak for the development of an airbas. At the moment, the department is renting a hangar in Miri.
Another empty hangar is being added and it will be enlarged to allow a comfortable working space in terms of accommodation of helicopters.
“Despite the operations being in Miri, we will still provide services to Kuching if needed,” he said.
Aside from the construction of an airbase in Sarawak, the department also plans to build an airbase in Sabah, Johor (Southern Zone) and the Eastern Zone, either in Terengganu or Pahang.
During the ceremony, Wahab presented Bomba service medals to 22 recipients and outstanding service awards to 97 recipients.
Also present were Sarawak Bomba director Datuk Khirudin Drahman and his deputy directors Tiong Ling Hii and Henderi Ardimansyah.
